How to Ship Media Mail

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Many people ship packages off everyday. However, many people don't know that you can ship packages off in another class besides first. This class is called Media Mail. Media mail is just that—a class where you can ship many of your media items (ex. CD's, books, cassettes, etc.) for lower prices than first class or priority mail.

Avoid trying to mail something Media Mail if it doesn't comply with USPS's "no advertisements" rule. Media Mail can't be used to send any media that contains advertisements. This rule is a little fuzzy, however, because incidental mentions of other media within a piece of media are considered okay, as long as it isn't a part of overt advertising for the purpose of selling the media mentioned.[2]

Review the other restrictions on what can be sent via Media Mail. Nothing over 70 pounds can be sent. Computer software and video games are not eligible. Some enclosures are allowed to be sent along with the media that fits in their content guidelines. For example you can include:[3]

Get an envelope or box for the item you're shipping. Envelops and boxes can be purchased at office supplies stores. The maximum dimensions for envelopes are 12 by 15 inches, and 3/4 inches thick. For boxes, the distance around the thickest part of the package plus the length of the package can't exceed 108 inches.[4]

Wrap your packages as usual. If the items you're mailing are small enough that they will shift around in the box you're using, get packing peanuts to fill the empty space. Packaging peanuts can be bought at office supply stores.[5]

You can also you newspaper to cushion items in boxes. Just make sure you test the box by shaking it gently to see if there's enough cushioning. There should be no items rattling around in the box.

Ask how much media mail is for your package. It will vary between items. In some cases, it'll be better to just ship your package via priority mail, especially if it is under 9 ounces. The worker at the post office will weigh your package and determine the cost for you.[7]

Media Mail shipping starts at $2.72 and goes up $0.50 for each pound over one, up to 37.22 for a 70 pound package.

Ship your package. If you do decide to ship it via Media Mail, the cashier will stick a label on the package. You then have the option to add additional services, such mailing certification and insurance.

Certified mailing means that you will receive evidence that you mailed what you did when you did it.

Media Mail includes USPS tracking, so that you can know when the estimated delivery date and time will be.

The cost of insuring your mail depends on the value of the item or items inside, and it can be insured up to $5000.

Can I weigh my package at home, apply the appropriate number of stamps, and drop it of at the Post Office without having to talk to anyone?

Community Answer

Not if it is over 13 oz. It would be held or returned for compliance FAA security regulations. Anything over 13 ounces with stamps as postage must be presented to an employee at a retail window. If it is metered or has a computer-generated, paid label, you can drop it at the post office or have your carrier pick it up.

Can I include a small picture frame as a free gift with book purchase?

Community Answer

No. Read the criteria for what may be shipped via Media Mail. Picture frames are definitely ineligible and could result in your entire package being charged as postage due - for the Priority Mail price!

Turn the box inside out. How? Look inside, on one corner there is a 1" plus glue joint. Cut carefully between the box and the joint. Turn the box inside out and glue the joint in place. Now the outside is plain and suitable for shipping.

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Tips

Weigh the pros and cons. If your package needs to be there quickly, you should probably send it first-class. If it's something that's not really needed right away, you can send it Media Mail. Media Mail isn't guaranteed to arrive by any specific date, and is estimated to take two to eight days.[8]

About This Article

Co-Authored By:

wikiHow Staff Editor

This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Together, they cited information from 9 references. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article meets our high standards.

To ship media mail, first put what you want to ship in an envelope that’s no bigger than 12 by 15 by ¾ inches or a box where the distance around the thickest part plus the length is no more than 108 inches. Then, seal your envelope as usual or your box with packing tape. Next, print your recipient’s address in the center and your return address in the upper left corner. When you’re reading to ship your envelope or box, you can go online to the USPS website or to your local USPS location to buy the correct postage before you mail it.

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Destiny Bowen

Jul 4

"Everything is explained simply. This is my first source for a question. I usually don't need to go anywhere else."

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Regal Cameron

Jul 25, 2017

"This article was very helpful. I am a new author and I was mailing my books via priority mail, not knowing I had the option to media mail. I heard about media mail a few months ago but was not sure how it worked. Now I know how to use it. It was very helpful and great information. I read a few articles before this one and they were very confusing. Thank you for helping me, wikiHow!"..." more

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J. H.

May 26, 2017

"Your Q&A answered my question quickly! It was upfront and done, i.e., how do I mail Media Mail from home? Answer, you can't. I was looking forever on the USPS site trying to find the answer. It's probably buried in its pages somewhere."..." more

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Laura Paine

Aug 1, 2018

"Getting ready to mail two large cartons of comic books I've held for years for my kids. Ready to ship and they gave me the money; more space in my garage is an extra bonus."..." more

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Lynsie B.

Oct 18, 2017

"My question was whether I could use a box, or if I had to use a large bubble envelope. It says either in the steps. "..." more